Washing apparatus



Sept. 2, 1941. E. K. CLARK E-rAL WASHING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 30. 1958 vFWG. 1.

L. www man m EAW O wb n 1cm A KEW. LM mm EF 151s o m al Patented Sept. 2, 1941 WASHING APPARATUS Earl K. Clark and Frank Breckenridge, Mansfield, Ohio, assignors to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa.,

"a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 30, 1938, Serial No. 227,457

6 Claims.

Our invention relates to washing apparatus and has for an object to provide improved apparatus of this kind.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved washing apparatus wherein a predetermined quantity ofwater is admitted to the washing chamber for washing and rinsing operations.

It is a further object of the invention to admit a measured quantity of water to a washing mechanism for washing and rinsing operations and to heat the water forone or more of the operations.

It is another object of our invention to provide an improved machine for washing tableware or the like wherein the admission of Water and a detergent, the discharge of the vitiated Water and the washing of the tableware are automatically controlled in accordance with a predeter mined program for effecting the washing and rinsing of the tableware.

AThese and other objects are eiected by our invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a dishwashing machine constructed and arranged in accordance with our invention; and,

Fig. 2 is a diagram of the electrical connections between the various electricallyA operated devices shown in Fig. 1.

In the accompanying drawing and description which follows, our invention is disclosed as applied to a dish washing machine but it will be understood that it is equally applicable to various other forms of washing machines. As shown in Fig. 1, which is diagrammatic for the sake of clearness, the washing apparatus includes a casing structure I that defines a washing chamber I I, provided with an access opening I 2 and closed by a suitable closure I3. A rack structure I4 is disposed within the chamber II for supporting the tableware to be Washed, which tableware is shown as a plurality of dishes I5. Water is admitted to the washing chamber II .for washing and rinsing operations from a suitable source through a conduit I6 under control of a measuring mechanism, generally indicated at I1 and described more in detail hereinafter. 1

Any suitable mechanism may be employed for washing the dishes I but, as shown, a rotating impeller I8 disposed in the bottom of the chamber II is employed. 'I'he impeller I8 projects the washing and 'rinsing water in contact with the dishes I5 at high velocity for washing the same in a well-understood manner. The impeller I8 is driven by a suitable electric motor I9 disposed exteriorly of the chamber II.

Vitiated water is discharged from the chamber I I through a drain pipe 2| having a suitable valve structure 22 connected therein. As shown, the valve 22 is of the solenoid-operated type and includes an operating coil 23. As the construction and operation of solenoid-operated valves are well known in the art, no further description of the valve 22 is deemed necessary other than to state that it is open when the coil 23 is energized and, conversely, it is closed when the coil is deenergized. A mechanism, generally shown at 24 and described in detail hereinafter, is employed for depositing a predetermined amount 'of detergent material such as, for example, powdered soap in the chamber II.

In accordance with our invention, the admission and discharge of water, the admission of soap to the chamber II andthe operation of the impeller I8 are automatically controlled in accordance with a predetermined program. To this end, a control device or timing mechanism, generally shown at 25, is employed for sequentially actuating the various elements for eiecting these operations. The timing mechanism 25 is preferably carried by the casing Il) in a position convenient to the operator and is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2, further reference to which will be made hereinafter.

Reference will now be had to the water measuring device I'I. 'Ihis device includes a measuring tank 26 of predetermined volume for receiving water conveyed by the supply conduit I6, the flow of which is controlled by a solenoid valve 21 having an operating coil 28. The upper end of the tank 26 is open and the bottom of the tank is comiected by means of a flexible conduit 29 Thev bias of the spring 39 determines the amount or weight of water that is `delivered to the Washing chamber .II and is preferably adjustable. To this end, an adjustable member 40 is disposed between the spring 22 and the arm 28. As shown; the member 4l is movable with respect to the ar'm 28 and is clamped thereto by a bolt 4i when adjusted to its proper position. A second spring 42 biases the tank 2l to its upper position at all times and elevates the tank when a predetermined weight of water is delivered therefrom.

In the position shown. the tank is in its elevated position and the springs 22 and 42 assist each other. When a predetermined weight of water is admitted to the tank 26, downward movement is" eected against the bias of the springs. As the arms 21 and 28 move toward alignment, the eilectiveness of the spring 22 in resisting movement thereof is progressively reduced so that the tank 2B is moved in a snap acting manner to its lower position. It` will be apparent that downward movement of the tank 26 is assisted by the spring 39 after the arms 2i and 38 pass their aligned or dead center" positicn. Y

In the lower position of the tank 2B, the springs 39 and 42 oppose each other. It will be understood that the bias of the spring 42 is suilicient to overcome the bias of the spring llt and the weight of the movable tank 2t so that after a predetermined weight of water is discharged from the tank 26, it is moved to its elevated po sition, as shown by the spring 42. Snap acting movement of the tank 26 as it moves upwardly is effected by the spring 3s in the manner described heretofore. Preferably, the effectiveness of the spring 42 in biasing the tank 2S upwardly is adjustable. To this end, the lower end` of the spring 42 is secured to the bell crank et at different distances from its pivot t6 by means of a clamping bolt 42a adjustable in a slot dto formed in the bell crank 34.

Heating of the water in the tank 26 is effected in any suitable manner and, preferably, by an electric heating element i3 under control ci? a conventional thermostat, shown at 4t. Energization of the heating element @t is also controlled by a switch 45 having a stationary ccntact 4B and a movable contact di associated with a movable element of the measuring mechanism il such as, for example, the bell crank 34. The switch 45 is closed when the tank 28 is in its lower position and open when in its elevated position, whereby energization of the heater 4t can only be effected when water is contained in the tank 26.

A second switch structure 48 is actuated by the movable element of the mechanism Il, such as, for example, by the bell crank 33. The switch 48 includes a movable contact 49 that engages stationary contacts I and 52, when the tank is in its elevated and lower positions, respectively. The switch 48 is of the double throw type and controls energization of the water valve solenoids 28 and 32 as shown in Fig. 2. further reference to this control being made hereinafter.

The device 24 for depositing detergent in the chamber Il may be of any suitable construction and, as shown, includes a magazine or hopper 53 for the detergent and having a discharge opening 54 formed in the bottom thereof. A movablev member. including a pair of spaced walls EB eii'ects the delivery of powdered soap to the washing chamber I I. The spaced walls 55 are carried by a stem 55a and detlne a chamber B6 therebetween which chamber registers with the opening 54 in the position of the device shown for receiving soap that gravitates from the hopper 53. The spaced walls 55 and the soap in the chamber Il are moved to the left by s. magnet l1 having an operating coil Il when the latter is energized. In this position, the chambery Il registers with a passage Il communicating with the washing chamber Il, so that the soap gravitates from the chamber Il through the passage Il to the washing chamber Ii. A spring ll returns the walls IB to the position shown when the magnet coil Il is deenergized, whereby soap gravitates fromthe hopper I2 to the chamber It for delivery to the washing chamber II the next time the magnet is energized. Preferably, the amount of soap delivered to the chember Il is adjustable in order that the most desirable washing solution may be obtained with the water available. As shown. one of the wells 5U is threaded at IIb to the stem "a so that it may be adjusted longitudinally of the 'stem 5ta for varying the capacity of the chamber B8. The detergent depositing device 24 is shown by way oi' example and it will be understood that other suitable mechanisms may be employed for depositing a detergent in liquid or granular form in the washing chamber.

The various electrically operated elements referred to heretofore are controlled by the timing device 25 for effecting a predetermined program oi' steps in the washing and rinsing of the dishes. The timing device 2E preferably includes a rotatable drum d5 which is diagrammatically shown in development in Fig. 2 and movable in the direction o1 the arrow. The rotatable drum 65 carries a plurality of .electrically connected segments Se to it, inclusive. that cooperate with a plurality of stationary contact fingers il to dit, inclusive. The drum G5 is rotated by a motor ttl of the type commonly employed in the operation of electric clocks. A speed-reducing mechanism 8S is interposed between the motor and the drum @E so that lthe latter is driven at a relatively low speed of, for example, 1/l5 R. P. M. A slip clutch, diagrammatically shown at tl, is connected between the speed-reducing mechanism 36 and the drum B8 for permitting manual ro tation of the drum B6 when initiating operation of the apparatus. A handle 88 is provided for the operator for manually rotating the drum EE. During operation of the motor B5, the drum d5 is driven through the clutch 81. In manually initiating operation of the apparatus. the drum 6B is rotated by the handle 8B until the contact segment B8 bridges the lngers 'il and 'i8 at which time the motor 8B is energized for rotating the drum 8B.

The source of power for the various electrical elements is represented by line conductors Li and Le. 'Ihe contact finger 'i8 is connected to the line conductor Ll so that when it is in engagement with the segment 86 all of the segments Bil to 16. inclusive, are of the same polarity as the line conductor L1. The contact 11 is connected to one terminal of the timer motor 85, the opposite terminal of which connects with the line conductor La. The contact linger 19 is connected to one terminal of the heater 43, the opposite terminal of which is connected to the line conductor L: through the switch 45 and the thermostat 44. The contact iingers to 84, inclusive, are respectively connected to terminals of the operating coils BB, 22, 22 and 28 and the motor I8. The opposite terminals of the coils |58, 23 and motor i9 are connected to the line conductor La. The opposite terminals of the coils 32 and 2B are respectively connected to the stationary contacts 62 and 5I of the switch structure 45. The

mitted to the tank 26 until it moves to its lower position, at which time .the contact 49 engages" movable contact 49 of the switch 48 cooperates with the stationary contacts 52 and 5I and is directly connected to the line conductor La. lAs the switch 48 is of the double throw type, it will be apparent that one or the other o! the coils 82 and 28 is connected to theline conductor La at all times.

As energization of the heater 48 and the valve operating coils 32 and 28 is controlled by switching means other than the timing device 25, I

have shown broken lines beside the movable segments 68 to 16, inclusive, which lines indicate the duration of periods of energization of the elements controlled by the segments. For example, the segment 15 engages the nger 83 continuously for a period of approximately nine minutes as indicated by the indicia at the right of the drum 65 but energization of the operating coil 28' is only effected during the three periods indicated by the broken lines beside the segment 15 or during periods when the movable contact 49 of the switch 48 engages its stationary contact I. When the movable contact 49 disengages the contact 5|, the circuit through the coil 28 is broken so that the portion of the segment 15 in engagement with the linger 83 at this time is not accompanied by a broken line. 'I'his method of illustration facilitates description of the operation of the apparatus as will be apparent hereinafter. As the motors I9 and 85 and the coils 58 and 23 are controlled solely by the timing device 25, the broken lines associated with their respected segments 16, 66, 68 and 69 to 1|, inclusive, are coextensive therewith.

Operation In operating the washing apparatus, the dishes I5 are iirst placed on the supporting structure I4 through the access opening I2, after which the door I3 is closed. The drum 65 of the timing mechanism 25 is then manually actuated to starting position wherein the segment 66 bridges the ngers 11 and 18. Accordingly, the circult for the motor 85 is established and rotation of the drum 65 is started. During the starting operation, the contact segment 15 engages the contact linger 83 so thatthe operating coil 28 of the valve 21 isenergized and admission of water to the tank 26 is eiected. It is to be understood that during starting, the tank 26 is substantially devoid of water so that it is in its elevated position wherein the contact 49 engages the contact 5I.

During the lling of the tank 26, contact segments 12 and 16 engage the respective ngers 82 and 84 whereupon the main motor I9 is energized and the circuit including the operating coil 32 conditioned for energization. Energization of the coil 32 is effected when a predetermined weight of water is admitted to the tank 26 for moving it to its lowermost position whereupon the contact 49 is moved into engagement with the contact 52. This operation of the switch 48 deenergizes the solenoid 28 and delivery of water to the tank 26 is terminated. The water flows from the tank 26 through the open valve 3| and is projected over the dishes I5 by the impeller I8. Accordingly, loose food particles are removed from. the dishes and are entrained in the water in the chamber When a substantial portion of the water has been discharged from the tank 26, it is moved upwardly as described heretofore so that the operating coil 92 is deenergized and the coil 28 energized. Accordingly, water is again adthe contact 52 and the switch 45 is closed. At this time the drum 65 is in the position indicated by the three-minute position on theA scale sov that the circuit is completed to the heater 43 through the segment'61 and nger 19. As the y heater is energized, heating of the water ad-` mitted to the tank 26 is eiected under control oi the thermostat 44. The cold or iirst charge of water admitted to the chamber II has been projected over the dishes by the impeller I8 during the periods dened by the one to four minute ing of the drain valve 22 which is eiected when the segment 69 is disengaged from lthe nger 8|. With this operation, the segment 13 engages the contact 82 and, as the contact 49 is in engagement with the contact 52, the operating coil 32 of the valve 3| is energized and the heated water is discharged to the chamber Il. When the heated water has been discharged from the tank 26, upward movement of the latter eiects closing of the contacts 49 and 5| so that a third charge of water is admitted to the tank 26. Furthermore, upward movement of the tank 26 opens the switch 45 for deenergizing the heater 43 and opens the circuit of the operating coil 32 ot .the water valve 3| as described heretofore. When the tank 26 is. moved downwardly by the charge of water therein, the heater is energized by the closing of the switch 45 and the supply of water to the tank 26 is terminated.

Closing of the contacts 49 and 52 conditions the 1 coil 32 for energization, which is later effected 'by the engagement of segment 14 and finger 82`. During the period of i'llling the tank with the third charge of water, the segment 68 engages iinger 8| whereupon energization of the operating coil 23 is eected for opening the discharge valve 22. The water is completely discharged from the chamber when the contact segment 16 disengages the inger 8| at which time the discharge valve 22 is closed. The valve 3| is again opened by energization of its operating coil 32 which is elected when the contact segment 14 engages the nger 82, it being understood that the tank 22 is in its lowermost position in which the movable contact 49 engages` the stationary contact'52. Accordingly, the heated third charge of water is discharged to the chamber for rinsing purposes. With the opening of the valve 3|, the segment 61 disengages the nger 19 so that the heater 43 is rendered inactive. Admission of water to the tank 26 when it moves upwardly after discharging the third charge of water is prevented as the segment 15 is disengaged from the nger 83 and, therefore, the operating coil 28 of the admission valve 21 is incapable of energization.

The heated rinsing water is projected over the dishes by the impeller I8 `until the water is discharged from the chamber Il which operation isA eii'ected by the vengagement or the segment 1| with the contact linger Il and the energization of the discharge valve operating coil Il. Continued operation oi the motor Il moves the drum Il to the oil position as shown in the drawims. at which time all of the elements of the washing apparatus are rendered inactive. A complete cycle of operation has now been described.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that a uniform quantity of water is admitted to the washer by the measuring device I1 during eachoperation oi theslater admitting means regardless of any condition which tends to vary the amount of water delivered, such as for example, pressure changes in the water supply conduit. This is desirable for the most eicient operation o! the impeller in projecting the wash and rinse water over the dishes. Furthermore, as the amounts of water and soap admitted to the washing chamber are ilxed, the most effective washing Vsolution is employed at all times. The embodiment of the measuring de- -vice I1 which we have shown measures the amount of water by weight but it is to be understood that our invention is not so limited and contemplates other methods of metering predetermined quantities oi water to the washer.

Furthermore, our invention contemplates selectively supplying the water to the washing chamber in a heated or unheated condition. Supplying oi water to the washer, discharging of the vitiated water therefrom, depositing a detergent in the washer and operation o! the washing apparatus are automatically effected to provide a predetermined program o1' washing and rinsing steps in accordance with our invention. which program may be varied as desired.

While we have shown our invention in but oneV form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modiiications without departing from the spirit thereof, and we desire, therefore. that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are speciilcally set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In apparatus for admitting water to a washing machine having a water-containing washing chamber, the combination of a measuring device for the water. a valve for controlling the admission of water to said device, a second valve for controlling the delivery of water from the device to said washing chamber, means responsive to the amount of water in said device for controlling said valves and effective to close,

said first valve when a predetermined amount o! water is contained within the measuring device and to condition said first valve for operation to admit water to the device at other times. said means being eilective to condition said second valve for operation to deliver water to the washing /chamber when a predetermined amount of water is contained within the measuring device and to close said second valve at other times. and other control means for selectively opening said valves during the periods when the valves are conditioned for operation by the first-mention control means. f

2. In apparatus for admitting measured quantities oi water to a washing machine having a water-containing washing chamber. the combination of a tank, a valve for controlling the admission of water to said tank, a second valve for controlling delivery of water from the tank to assises the washing'chamber, said tankbeing disposed in an lelevated position when substantially devoid oi water land movablelito ,ajlowerA position when-l containing a predetermined 'weight of water, mearisfresponsive the position o! the tank i'or controlling said valves so that said first valve is closed during periods when the tank is in its lower position and is conditioned for operation to admit water to the tank in the clevated position of the tank, said controlling means conditioning said second valve for operation to deliver water to. the washing chamber during periods when the tank is in its lower position and for closing the second valve in the elevated position of the tank, and other control means for selectively opening said valves during the periods when the valves are conditioned for operation. 4

3. In apparatus for admitting measured quantities of water to a washing machine having a washing chamber, the combination of a container for the water, an electrically operated valve for controlling the admission of water to said container, a second electrically operated valve for controlling the delivery ot water from the container to the washing chamber, first and .second switches for respectively controlling the vand second switches, respectively said master switches being active to control energization of the iirst and second electricallyoperated valves only during periods when their respective ilrst and second switches are closed, and means for opening and closing said master switches in a predetermined sequence.

4. In apparatus for admitting measured quantities of water to a washing machine having a water-containing washing chamber, the combination of a measuring device for the water. a valve for controlling the admission of water to the measuring device, a second valve for controllingthe delivery of water from the measuring device to the washing chamber, means responsive to the amount of water in the measuring device for controlling said valves and eiiective to close said iirst valve when a predetermined amount of water is contained in the measuring device and to condition the iirst valve for operation to admit water to the measuring device at other times, said means being etiectiva to condition saidsecond valve for operation to deliver water to the washing chamber when a predetermined amount of water is contained within the measuring device and to close the second valve at other times, means for heating the water in the measuring device, means eii'ective during periods when the said predetermined amount of water is contained within the measuring device for conditioning the heating means it is conditioned for operation 5. In apparatus i'or admitting measured quantities of water to a washing machine, the combination of a container for the water, an electrlcally-operated valve for controlling the admission of water to the container, a second electrically-operated valve for controlling the delivery of water from the container to the washing machine, a switch fork controlling the energization of said rst electrically-operated valve and closed when lsaid container is substantially devoid of waterA and open when the container contains a predetermined amount of water, a second switch for controlling the operation of said second elec-A cally-operated.l valve for controlling the delivery of water from the container to the washing machine, a switch for controlling the energization of said rst electrically-operated valve, said switch being closed when said container is substantially devoid of water and open when the .container contains a predetermined amount of water, a second switch for controlling the operation of said second electrically-operated valve,

said second switch being open when the container is substantially devoid of Water and closed when said container contains said predetermined amount of water, a heater for heating the water in the container, a third switch for controlling energization of the heater, said' third switch being open when the container is substantially devoid of water and closed when the container contains said predetermined amount of water,

and a plurality oi. master switches connected in series with the respective rst, second and third switches, said master switches being opened and closed sequentially and for predetermined periods of time.

EARL K. CLARK.

FRANK BRECKENRIDGE. 

